SNOW HILL — When the historic Montford Point Marines were honored with Congressional Gold Medals in Washington, D.C. last summer, one of the few surviving members was unable to attend the ceremony because of health conditions.

So it came to him.

The group was the first blacks to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942-1949, which became desegregated a short time later.

Retired Montford Point Marine James B. McGee, 88, was personally honored in a small banquet Sunday, attended by active and retired Marines and family from as far as Bowie, Md.

McGee resides at the Greendale Forest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Snow Hill. His family said he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

He was moved into an event room at the facility for the ceremony that included nearly 30 people.

“I had no idea that so many (people) would show up,” said Maya Swinson, one of McGee’s granddaughters. “Growing up at his feet, he’s always talked to us about his experiences in the military. I know that he can’t physically respond to us, but I feel deep down that he knows we are here.”

Service members and family congratulated McGee after his wife Ruby D. McGee, 86, accepted the country’s highest civilian honor on his behalf.

The couple has been married since 1962; they have eight children and several grandchildren, many who attended Sunday’s ceremony.

“It’s beautiful that my grandfather was honored,” said Yolanda Stewart of Bowie, Md. “Ever since I was a little girl, my grandfather was so proud to be a jarhead. That’s all he talked about. He wore his Marine paraphernalia proudly, and he was a true Marine to the core.”

Stewart and Swinson said they would always remember their grandfather’s old saying, “Don’t take no wooden nickels.”

Stewart added the historical context made the event significant to witness for her nephews and children, including her 16-year-old son Reggie Stewart.

“People say soldiers who fought in the past, a lot of their wars and battles are usually forgotten and people don’t really take it into consideration,” he said. “It’s nice to see that my great grandfather is being honored after all the time he fought with other Marines. … I’m proud of what he did and he should be honored.”

From 1942-1949, nearly 20,000 African-Americans trained at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, the only military base that trained black recruits. They came from across America to make history during the segregated days of World War II. Although they were racially isolated, they still completed the process to earn the name, “Marine.” About 200 are living today.

The Marines were collectively honored with a CGM on June 27 to join the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Nelson Mandela and the Tuskegee Airmen.

“It’s one of the best things that’s happened to me in years, to see him finally receive his gold medal,” said retired Marine Rich Hensey, who worked on CI90 aircrafts with McGee for three years in 1960. “(It’s) awesome for what he went through being a Montford Point Marine.”

A new member of the Camp Lejeune chapter of the Montford Point Marine Association — an organization formed to commemorate the Marines, Sgt. Kendrix Graham, was at the ceremony to pay his respects to a pioneer.

“I’m trying to take into consideration and give thanks to the Marines who paved the way for me,” he said of his attendance. “If it wasn’t for them, then there would be no possible way for us.”

McGee served in the military for 30 years and was a member of the Montford Point Marine Association for nearly 20 years. He worked in air conditioning and heating ventilation after his active Marine Corps service. He also participated in the arts as a painter.

“I think he would be overwhelmed,” said daughter Ernestine Coward of her father’s reaction to the ceremony. “I can hear him say, ‘It’s about time.’ ”

Coward, who lives in Kinston, often visits the facility in Snow Hill to check on her father, saying he knows who she is when he scratches his hair.

She added the amazing gesture it was for the Montford Point Marine Association to honor McGee with the presentation.

“He should be recognized,” Coward said. “I just thank God for keeping him.”

Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.